Thursday, January 20, 2011

American Humanist Association Hails Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

The American Humanist Association (AHA) hailed the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” Saturday when the Senate’s bill to allow gays to serve openly in the military was successfully passed. The House passed the measure on Wednesday.

“This is an inspiring, and frankly, overdue step forward for the LGBT community and all of us who care about equality,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “A group of citizens historically marginalized and discriminated against have finally gained hard-fought ground. No longer will people be asked to lie about who they love in order to serve our country in the military.”

“Don’t ask, don’t tell,” a policy implemented under the Clinton administration forcing gays and lesbians to remain closeted or face discharge while serving in the military, was the subject of fierce debate in the Senate. The measure failed last week when attached to the controversial Defense Authorization bill and was re-introduced as a stand-alone bill in an attempt to keep it alive.

The Senate ultimately voted in favor of the repeal by a margin of 65-31, with eight Republicans crossing the aisle. The repeal will take effect after Pentagon and White House approval.

“An estimated 14,000 troops have been discharged under ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ 14,000 dedicated and hard-working individuals forced to sacrifice their careers in the name of nothing more than bigotry and prejudice,” said Speckhardt.

“Our service men and women have put their lives on the line to protect those freedoms for which they themselves could not enjoy while in the midst of military service,” said Jason Frye, coordinator of the AHA’s LGBT Humanist Council. “No one taking up the noble call of serving our country should ever have had to endure or live in fear of the tarnishing effects of dishonorable discharge based upon matters wholly unrelated to the professionalism of the call of duty.”

The good folks at Repent Amarillo, a Texas religious organization normally focused on picketing strip clubs and photographic patrons of adult-oriented businesses, has executed Santa via firing squad for his crimes against Baby Jesus.

Santa’s crimes, read from a paper scroll wound about two gigantic plastic crayons, are read aloud to . . . no, not a department store Santa, but a papier-mache ornament.

You have sought to substitute yourself for the place for the only begotten son of God, Jesus Christ, during the Christmas season. You are thus guilty of being a symbol of idolatry.

You have sought to become a stumbling block for parents who lie to their children that you exist to bring them gifts. You are thus guilty of being a stumbling block.

You have sought to remove benevolence from Christmas and turn it into a festival of gluttony and greed with rampant commercialism. You are thus guilty of inciting covetousness.

A crew of Repent Amarillo members, all clad in matching sweatshirts with the “COEXIST” symbol crossed out and the text of 1 Corinthians 16:22 (a) (NKJV) emblazoned across the chest (“If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed”), then “executed” Santa via firing squad.

This bizarre twist in the “War on Christmas” moves a step beyond the American Family Association’s “Naughty and Nice” list. The two-million-member Christian Right AFA, recently identified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, is intent upon pressuring every store in the country to promote Christmas in advertising . . . and has no objection whatsoever to Santa displays or crass commercialism.

What do you think of the execution of Santa? Is Santa good for kids and adults?